Retirement Update 2011

It's a lifestyle. It's a trip to a museum or a Reds
game. It's about options and convenience. But at its core, it is also
safety and care.

Retirement choices are plentiful, and families
should approach decisions with deliberation and research for the move
from home into a care facility.

"(People) want to have options," says Laurie Petrie,
communications director for the Council on Aging of Southwestern Ohio.
"There's some convenience to being on one campus and knowing that if you
need more care, it'll be there and you'll be able to move seamlessly."

Choosing a facility and level of care can be
confusing. Communities that provide all levels of care and a continuum
of accommodations may make those choices easier. A retirement community
that ensures your loved one can get increased medical care as they age,
without having to move into a whole new community, is the ideal for many
families.

It's a very personal choice.

"There's no one retirement community for everyone,"
says Mary E. Day, Managing Longterm Care Ombudsman for ProSeniors.
"Everyone needs information based on their needs and preferences. They
need to look and form their own impressions, and ask themselves what
they are looking for in experiences and services. It can be activities,
closeness to loved ones."

THE FUTURE

Ask about how future needs will be met as health
situations and finances change, recommends Ken Paley, Vice President of
Marketing and Public Relations for Episcopal Retirement Homes. Reading
and understanding the written policy on what happens if and when
retirement money is exhausted is crucial. Make sure the retirement
community will "support you and not ask you to leave," Paley says.

At facilities operated by the non-profit Episcopal
Retirement Homes, residents can begin their retirement living
independently and then, as their needs change, so does their care.
Assisted living and skilled nursing care are available.

The key is the perfect blend of care and community,
according to Becky Schulte, director of communications at Maple Knoll
Village in Springdale. Additionally, two of the most important factors
to look for in a retirement community are the history and financial
stability.

"You want to be sure that the facility is going to be around for your loved one's entire life," Schulte says.

Making sure a family members will feel at home is
indispensible. "You should also ask whether it's a place your family
member will feel comfortable," she says. "Get to know the people, the
residents and the staff. See if they're happy and involved."

Maple Knoll is set up like a regular neighborhood,
offering several floor plans so residents can live in a cottage-style
villa or apartment, all with a variety of services.

Services must fit current and future needs to
prevent having to move. Maple Knoll offers all levels of care, so the
community "becomes more like your home," Schulte says. "You make friends
and get involved. Then, as you move through the continuum (of care),
you stay active with the people that you know in the place that you
know."

Finally, make sure that the atmosphere is one of
enjoying life. "The reason you should come here is that this is a
retirement community that takes care of all the things that aren't fun
in life," Schulte says. "You have that healthcare piece, but you should
come to enjoy life. You can push all the housekeeping aside and
concentrate on your general interests, take classes, go on trips."

Aside from the living accommodations, Maple Knoll
residents can take advantage of amenities such as dining, a pub,
gardens, a swimming pool, walking paths, wellness and fitness centers,
and a spiritual center.

"Moving to a retirement community is like coming to
college," Schulte says. "You are with a bunch of people your age to
experience a lot of different things together."

BE SURE TO ASK

Choosing a Retirement Community

Careful consideration of current needs as
well as what the future might hold should guide decisions in choosing a
retirement community. Vice President of Marketing and Public Relations
at Episcopal Retirement Homes Ken Paley says it's crucial to ask:

1) Does the community have a clear policy in
writing stating that even if your financial situation changes in the
future and you can no longer afford to live there, they will support you
and not ask you to leave?

2)Do they have a long-term reputation and track record of financial stability, quality care and staff longevity?

3)Are
you confident it is a welcoming community that provides all the
amenities, services and assistance at each level of care you might
require in the future if your health situation changes?

FOR MORE INFORMATION

At www.medicare.gov, search "nursing homes" for
locations, ratings, and a checklist. Search "CCRC" for a summary of
choices for long-term care and resources.